Undergraduate Digital Filmmaking
The major offers intensive training in all aspects of filmmaking production to prepare you for the rapidly growing employment opportunities for women in the film industry.
QUICK FACTS
- Study in the only producing digital film major at a women’s college in the country
- Work alongside visiting Hollywood professionals who provide a bridge to the film industry
- Create and showcase work in various film genres on campus or in the community including the local True/False Film Festival
- Focus on your individual interests with each project, whether it be editing, producing or screenwriting
- Become a part of Columbia’s active and growing film community with organizations such as Columbia Media Resource Alliance (CMRA) and Ragtag
- Participate in the College's Summer Film Institute, a two-week hands-on experience on the Stephens campus
- Graduate with a competitive “student reel” of your own short films and exhibition of films featured on television and at public screenings
- Earn a Master of Business Administration in as little as one additional year through our “Plus One” master’s program (certain requirements apply; must indicate intent by the beginning of sophomore year)
B.S. IN DIGITAL FILMMAKING
You don’t have to go to the coasts to study digital
filmmaking. Come to Stephens to tell the stories you want
to tell as a woman. At Stephens, you’ll find a wide
curriculum in digital filmmaking tailored exclusively
to you. This major is more than a behind-the-scenes peek
at the way movies are made. From pre- to post-production,
work with other students in teams to create professional
quality narrative and documentary films within a curriculum
that emphasizes hands-on work with the latest in digital
cameras and editing hardware and software. You will gain
real-life experience and meet contacts in the film industry
through a guided internship, as well as learn how to use
your creative skills in the film industry. By your senior
year, you will have chosen to concentrate your work in
one of two areas: narrative filmmaking or documentary
filmmaking. You will graduate with a “student reel”
of short films that you have produced and directed. By
capitalizing on the strengths of Stephens’ renowned
theatre and mass media programs, you will learn the skills
needed to become a successful director, writer, producer
or editor.
"PLUS
ONE" MASTER'S PROGRAM
Through our “Plus One” master’s program,
students may earn a bachelor’s degree followed
by an M.B.A. in as little as one additional year. Certain
requirements apply.*
Our traditional two-year Master
of Business Administration (M.B.A.) program offers
a blend of online learning with classroom instruction.
Students enjoy the flexibility of online coursework
as they enhance their learning through classroom interaction
in the evening or during an on-campus seminar. You can
choose your emphasis area based on your interests and
career goals.
*Students must indicate their intent by the beginning of their sophomore year.
FACILITIES
The use of professional production and editing equipment
are vital to the quality of your film and will prepare you
for a career in the industry. You will shoot with the latest
and most innovative professional digital video camcorders
such as the Panasonic DVX100. In Stephens’ G5 Mac
lab, you will become fluent in the use of Final Cut Pro.
WORKING PROFESSIONALS
As a Stephens film student, you will meet visiting filmmakers
through the Citizen Jane Women in Film Series. Guests have
included: Judith Guest, author/screenwriter,
“Ordinary People”; Laurie Kahn-Leavitt,
director/producer/writer, award-winning film “Tupperware!,”
featured on PBS; Victoria Riskin, screenwriter,
adaptation of Willa Cather’s classic, “My Antonia”;
past president of the Writers Guild of America, West; Barbara
Wiener, board president of TVbyGIRLS.
ADVISORY BOARD
Meet and make connections with working
industry professionals on the Advisory Board:
- Susanne Daniels, president, entertainment,
Lifetime Entertainment Services
- Rob LaZebnik, television screenwriter,
“The Simpsons,” “Less Than Perfect,”
“The Ellen Show”
- Amy Lippman, co-creator and executive
producer, “Party of Five”
- Jonathon Mostow, director, “Terminator
3,” “U-571” and “Breakdown”
- Alex Rockwell, vice president of
Henson Productions; executive producer, “Bear in the
Big Blue House”
- Nell Scovell, creator and executive
producer, “Sabrina the Teenage Witch;” writer/producer
of other sitcoms
- Dawn Wells, CEO, Spud Film Institute in Driggs, Idaho; Stephens alumna and actress, “Gilligan’s Island”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
To contact the Digital Filmmaking
program, please contact Kerri
Yost, assistant professor of film.
MAJORS
"Plus One" Master's Program
A minor is also available in Filmmaking.
Watch a video about the Stephens filmmaking program.
View
in Quicktime
INFORMATION
NEW: Film Tracks
Documentary
Track
Narrative
Track
Summer Film Institute
Fem
Film: Women's Film Symposium
Columbia Celebrates World Refugee Day
Stephens hosted the showing of "Neither Here Nor There," a locally made film about Bosnian refugees. Stephens professor Kerri Yost is among the documentary's co-directors/producers.
NICHE: A WEEKLY PEEK AT AN AREA ARTIST
Polina Malikin
A profile on Stephens College professor and filmmaker Polina Malikin.
Film festival puts focus on female filmmakers
The Stephens College Citizen Jane Film Festival was an encouraging experience for young women filmmakers.
FACULTY
QUOTE
“The available curriculum at Stephens fosters an environment
that allows a filmmaker to clearly see the scope of the world
through the lens of the camera. My Stephens education has deeply
enriched my talents as an independent filmmaker.”
— Jacklyn Wolfe
Junior, Co-founder of 3 Names and a Gun
film production company
